Fuel-mixing device for gas-engines.



No. 801,927. PATENTED OCT. 17, 1905. H. J. SMITH. FUEL MIXING DEVICE FORGAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.11, 1901.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

i. 3 WM N0. 801,927. PATENTED OUT. 17, 1905. H. J. SMITH.

FUEL MIXING DEVICE FOR GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 11, 1901.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

HARRY J. SMITH, OF BUFFALO,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALBERGER COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

FUEL-MIXING DEVICE FOR GAS-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 17, 1905.

Application filed October 11, 1901. Serial No. 78,342.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY J. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo,

in the county of Erie and State of New York,

varied and the quantity of fuel supplied to the engine may be regulated.

The object of this inventionis to produce an improved mixing device orvalve of this character which is simple in construction, re-

liable in operation, and which can be readily adjusted.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved fuel mixing and regulating mechanism,showing the same arranged for regulating the fuel-supply of agas-engine- Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same at right angles toFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 arehorizontal sections in the correspondingly-numbered lines in Fig. 1,respectively. Fig. 7 is a de-- tached side elevation of the valve-barreland the regulating device therein for varying the proportions of air andgas. Fig. 8 is a detached side elevation of the valve-casing.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of a modifiedv construction of myimproved fuel mixing and showing the means for varying the proportionsof air and gas applied to the stationary member of a valve. Fig. 10 is ahorizontal section in line 10 10, Fig.

regulating device,

v9. Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of another modification of my fuelmixing and regulating ports f,

device, showing a construction inwhich a stationary partition isemployed for varying the proportion of air and gas. Fig. '12 is ahorizontal section in line 12 12, Fig. 11.

The corresponding characters of reference in the following descriptiondenote the same parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, A represents a valve-body, which is providedcentrally with a mixing-chamber B, a gas inlet or supply chamber G,arranged above the mixing-chamber, and an air inlet or supply chamber D,arranged below the mixing chamber. The mixing-chamber is provided withone or more lateral outlet-passages a,

and gas is adjusted.

upper end to whereby the mixed fuel ing h,

is conducted to one or more cylinders of a gasengine. The gas-supplychamber is provided on its front side with an inlet-opening 0, which isconnected in any suitable manner with a gas-supply, and the lower end ofthe airchamber is provided with an air-inlet opening cl, through whichair is admitted into the airchamber from any suitable source.

E represents-a cylindrical casing or bushing forming one member or partof the valve which regulates the quantity of air and gas admitted intothe mixing chamber. This casing, as shown in the drawings, is arrangedvertically with its axis and is seated at its upper andlower ends incircular openings 6 0', formed in the partitions or walls which separatethe mixing-chamber from the gas and air chambers. The casing is fittedtightly in the openings 6 6, so that no gas or air can pass through thejoint between the casing and the body. The body is held against downwarddisplacement by cooperating shoulders 0 formed externally on the upperend of the casing and in the bore of the upper opening 6, as shown inFig. 2. The diameter of the valve casing is less than the width of themixing-chamber, so as to leave an intervening or annular space 7)between the casing and the adjacent walls of the mixing-chamber.

The valve-casing is open at its upper and lower ends and is providedwith a plurality of which are arranged in a circumferential row aroundthe casing and have the form of slots, which extend lengthwise of thecasing.

G represents a cylindrical barrel forming the other member or part ofthe valve which regulates the quantity of air and gas admitted into themixing-chamber and also part of the device whereby the relativeproportion of air This valve barrel is fitted or seatedclosely in thevalve-casing, but capable of turning or rocking therein, and is providedwith a circumferential row of slotshaped ports g, which are of the samedimensions as the ports f of the casing and are adapted to register withthe same. The valvebarrel is open at its upper and lower ends, so as tobe in constant communication with the gasand air supply chambers, and itis secured by means of a spider-or open head 9 at its a verticalvalve-spindle H. The latter is journaled at its upper end in abearformedon a cap which closesit'he top of the gas-chamber, and at its lower endin a step-bearing screw it, which is supported by an open head or grid7L arranged in the inlet-opening d of the air-chamber, as shownin Fig.2.

Upon rocking the valve-barrel a greater or less extent its ports arecovered and uncovered more or less by the solid parts of the casing,thereby varying the effective area of these ports, and consequentlyvarying their capacity for conducting air and gas from the air and gaschambers into the mixing-chamber, according to the relative position ofthe ports in the valve-barrel and easing.

For automatically varying the quantity of fuel which is drawn for eachcharge by the piston into the cylinder of the engine the position of thevalve-barrel maybe controlled by a governor mechanism which constantlyholds the ports open more or less and merely throttles the fuel supplyaccording to the requirements of the engine, or the valve-barrel may beoperated by a governor which opens and closes the ports for everycharge, but varies the extent of the opening of the ports each time forcutting off the charge of fuel earlier or later according to the speedof the engine.

In the drawings is shown .a simple form of cut-off governor forcontrolling the position of the valve-barrel, this governor beingconstructed as follows: I represents an upright governor-shaft which maybe driven from any suitable rotating part of the engine and which isjournaled in abearing t' on the rear side of the valve-body. Jrepresents a governordisk mounted on the upper end of the governor-shaftand pivotally supporting two-centrifugal governor-weights j. The latterare connected by springs j with the governordisk for holding themnormally in their inner position. K represents a governor-arm pivoted onone side of the governor-dis'kand provided with a crank-pin or wristwhich moves toward and from the axis of the governor-shaft and which isconnected by a rod 70 with a rock-arm 70 on the upper end of the valvespindle. The governor weights are connected by rodsZ with thegovernor-arm.

When the speed of the engine is be'lownormal, the governor-weights arein their inner position and the crank-pin is is arranged 'eccentricallywith reference to the governorshaft, as shown in Fig. 3. In thisposition of the parts the valve-barrel is turned in one direction, so asto bring the ports of the valvebarrel into complete register with thoseof the valve-casing, and then the barrel is turned in the oppositedirection, so-that its ports are wholly closed by the solid parts ofthecasing, thereby permitting the piston to draw a full charge of fuelinto the cylinder during each cycle of operations of the engine. Whenthe speed of the engine increases, the crank-pin 7c is moved by thegovernor-weights toward the center of the governor-shaft, whereby theextent of the opening movement of the valvebarrel is reduced and acorrespondingly smaller charge of fuel is drawn into the cylinder,thereby checking the speed of the engine.

In order to permit of adjusting the relative proportion of gas and airwhich is admitted into the mixing-chamber, an adjusting device isprovided, which is constructed as follows: M represents a circularpartition, regulating-disk, or separating member arranged transverselyin the valve-barrel and capable of longitudinal adjustment in the same.This disk is provided with a circumferential row of filling pieces orextensions m, which fit into the ports g of the barrel and are flushwith the outer side thereof, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. By this meanseach portg is divided partly into a gas-passage and partly into anair-passage, and the regulating-disk is compelled to turn with thebarrel, but is free to slide lengthwise therein. Furthermore, the airand gas are completely separated while in the valve-barrel and do notcome together until they enter the mixing chamber. Upon adjusting theregulatingdisk lengthwise in the barrel the relative area or size of thegas and air passages can be adjusted according to the quality of the gasor other conditions for providing the required explosive mixture in themixing-chamber. Upon lowering the regulating-disk the area of thegas-passages is increased and that of the air-passages is decreased, andthe reverse takes place when the regulating-diskis raised. The aggregatearea of the several gas and air passages formed by the divided ports inthe valve-barrel is equal to the capacity of the mixed-fuel conduitleading to the cylinder and is capable of accommodating the full ormaximum charge of fuel for running the engine at its highest speed orunder the greatest load. Upon raising or lowering the regulating-diskfor varying the proportion of air and gas the total area of the ports orpassages is not altered, but remains the same, so that the valve alwayspermits of drawing in a full chargeo'f'f'uel intothe cylinder regard- Iless of the proportions of air and gas.

The relative proportions of air and gas are obtained by the adjustmentof but a single part, which part when shifted reduces the size orsubtracts from one side of the fuelports 9 and increases oradds to thesizeof the other side of the fuel-ports g in the same measure, therebyrendering it impossible to throttle the engine unintentionally whileadjusting the proportions of gas and .air. Such throttling of thefuel-passages is liable 'to occur when the supply of air and gas areadjusted by independent means to obtain the desired proportion. When thefuel-supply is thus throttled the engine is unable to draw a full chargeof fuel when necessary, which results in retarding the piston andreducing the efficiency of the engine.

When the valve-barrel is turned by the governor for regulating the speedof the engine, the air and gas ports are always cutoff laterally in thesame measure regardless of the relative proportions of the air and gaspassages, thereby maintaining a uniform quality of fuel Whether theengine runs under light or heavy loads.

The filling pieces or extensions m form practically a part of theseparating member or regulating-disk M, and are always maintained in adefinite relation thereto. By terminating the outer edges of theseextensions flush with the outer side or face of the barrel G the jointbetween the cooperating faces of the volumecontrolling members and theface of the separating or proportion-controlling member are brought on'the same line, thereby positively cutting off communication between theair and gas supplies when the ports of the volume-controlling membersare closed. In the absence of this positive separation of the air andgas supplies while the volume-controlling valve is closed the gas whenunder pressure would be forced into the air-supply, and thus eitherwaste to the atmosphere or spoil the proper mixture of fuel which issupplied to the engine upon subsequently starting the same.

The longitudinal adjustment of the regulating-disk in the valve-barrelmay be effected in various ways, the means for this purpose (shown inFigs. 1 to 8) being constructed as follows: N represents a sleevemounted on the lower part of the valve-spindle and carrying theregulating-disk M at its upper end. 0 represents a vertically-movableslide guided in ways 0' 0n the outside of the air-chamber. P is a forkwhich projects from the inner side of the slide 0 into engagement withan annular groove 10 in the lower. end of the sleeve N. Upon raising orlowering the slide 0 the regulating-disk moves with the same, but thelatter is free to oscillate with the barrel. The vertical adjustment ofthe slide Ois effected by a screw 0 which works with its threaded partin a threaded opening of the air-chamber and is connected with theslide, so that the latter is compelled to move lengthwise with thescrew; but the screw can turn independently of the slide.

The position of the regulating disk or partition in the valve-barrel andthe relative proportions of gas and air may be determined by pointers 0arranged on the slide 0 and traversing scales 0 on the adjacent part ofthe valve-body.

Instead of arranging the partition for determining the proportions of.air and gas in the inner movable member of the valve this partition maybe arranged around the outer stationary member of the valve, as shown inFigs. 9 and 10. In these figures, Q represents a cylindricalvalve-casing surrounded by an annular chamber g, which communicates atits upper and lower ends with air and gas supplies or passages q grespectively. B is a rocking valve-barrel arranged in the casing andprovided with ports 1, adapted to register with ports (1 in the casing.The air and gas pass from their respective passages through the ports ofthe casing and barrel into the latter, where the air and gas becomemixed, and then pass from the lower end ofthe barrel through anoutlet-pipe r to the cylinder of the engine or other place ofconsumption.

S represents a ring fitting into the chamber surrounding the casing andprovided with filling-pieces 8, extending into the ports of the casing.'The ring S and filling-pieces 8 form a partition between the air and gassupplies, which prevents the air and gas from mixing before they passthrough the ports of the easing and barrel. Upon raising or lowering thepartition S s the relative area of the ports g in the casing which isexposed to the air and gas supplies may be varied as may be necessary topermit the desired proportions of air and gas to pass the valve.

The means shown for raising and lowering the partition consist of twoadjusting-screws .9, working in the ring S, and a hand-shaft s journaledon the outer side of the valve-casing and connected by bevel gear-wheelss with the adjusting-screws.

In Figs. 11 and 12 is shown a construction of a fuel-mixing device inwhich the partition which separates the gas and air previous to mixingis stationary and the relative proportion of the mixture is produced byshifting a part of the'valve relatively to the partition. In thisconstruction, T represents an inner rocking valve-barrel whichcommunicates at one end with an outlet-pipe t. U is a valve-casingsurrounding the barreland having ports a, which cooperate with ports tin the barrel. The valve-casingU is surrounded by a chamber V, whichconnects at its upper and lower ends with air and gas supplies 0) 0respectively. W represents a stationary partition arranged in thechamber V between the air and gas supplies and provided withfilling-pieces w, fitting into the ports u in the casing U. Upon raisingor lowering the casing U the relative area of its ports a exposed to theair and gas supplies is varied. This movement of the casing may beeffected by a screw-nut u, arranged on the outer side of the casing andengaging with a screwthreaded shank a on the upper end of the casing.

Although I have described my improved gas-mixing device as applied to agas-engine, it is obviously applicable to other purposes for instance,to a gaseous-fuel heating or illuminating plant, in which it isnecessary to vary the proportion of air and gas without liability ofrestricting the aggregate supply of air and gas.

I claim as my invention- 1. Afuel-mixing device, comprisingan airsupply,a gas-supply, two cooperating volume-controlling members, one of whichis movable relatively to the other and one of which has a port, and aseparating member arranged between the air-supply and the gassupply andentering said port and having its edge flush with the joint between thelastnamed members, said separating member and the cooperatingvolume-controlling member being movable one relatively to the other forvarying the proportion of air and gas, substantially as set forth.

2. A fuel-mixing device comprising an airsupply, a gas-supply, avolume-controlling device having a member provided with a port, apartition or separating member arranged between the air-supply and thegas-supply, one of said members being movable relatively to the otherfor varying the proportion of air and gas, and a filling-piece arrangedin said port and maintained in a definite relation to said separatingmember, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, a volume-controlling device having a member provided with aport, and a partition or separating member arranged between theair-supply and the gassupply and having an extension entering said port,one of said members being adjustable relatively to the other for varyingthe proportion of air and gas, substantially as set forth.

4. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agassupply, a valve member having a port, and a partition arrangedbetween the air-supply and gas-supply and movable relatively to saidport, substantially asset forth.

5. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, a valve member having a port which communicates with boththe air-supply and the gas-supply, and an adjustable partition which isarranged in said port and between the air and gas supplies,substantially as set forth.

6. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, a valve member having a port and movable in one directionfor varying the quantity of air and gas, and a partition which isarranged between the air-supply and gas-supply and which is movable inanother direction for varying the proportions of air and gas,substantially as set forth.

7. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, two cylindrical valve members fitted one within the otherand one movable with reference to the other for varying the quantity ofair and gas, and a partition arranged between the air and gas suppliesand movable for varying the proportions of air and gas, substantially asset forth.

8. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, two cylindrical valve members fitted one within the otherand one rotatable with reference to the other for varying the quantityof air and gas, and a partition arranged between the air and gassupplies and adjustable axially with reference to the valve members forvarying the proportions of air and gas, substantially as set forth.

9. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, two concentric valve members one rotatable with reference tothe other for varying the quantity of air and gas, and one of saidmembers communicating at opposite ends with the air and gas supplies,and a partition arranged in the inner valve member between the air andgas supplies and capable of axial adjustment relatively thereto forvarying the proportions of air and gas, substantially as set forth.

10. Inafuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply, agas-supply, two concentric valve members having coinciding ports intheir sides and one member rotatable with reference to the other forvarying the quantity of air and gas, a partition arranged between theair and gas supplies and adjustable axially with reference to the valvemembers for varying the proportions of air and gas, and filling-piecesarranged on the partition and fitting into the ports of the adjacentvalve member, substantially as set forth.

11. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of an air-supply,agas-supply, inner and outer cylindrical valve members having coincidingports in their sides, one of said valve members being rotatable withreference to the other for varying the quantity of air and gas and saidinner valve member communicating at opposite ends with the air and gassupplies, a partition arranged in the inner valve member and capable ofaxial adjustment therein for varying the proportions of air and gas, andfilling-pieces arranged on the partition and fitting into the ports ofthe inner valve member, substantially as set forth.

12. In afuel-mixingdevice, the combination of an air-supply,agas-supply, inner and outer cylindrical valve members having coincidingports in their sides, said inner member communicating at its oppositeends with the air and gas supplies, a movable spindle to which the innervalve member is secured, and a partition arranged in the inner valvemember between the air and gas supplies and capable of axial adjustmenttherein, substantially as set forth.

13. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of a valve-body having amixing-chamber, and gas and air supply chambers on opposite sides of themixing-chamber, a cylindrical valvecasing fitting in the partitionsbetween the mixing-chamber and the air and gas chambers and providedwith ports opening into the mixing-chamber, a cylindrical valve-bar:

rel rotatable in said casing and provided inits'side with ports adaptedto register with the ports of the casing, and a partition arranged inthe valve-barrel between the air and gas supplies and capable of axialadjustment therein, substantially as set forth.

14. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of a valve-body having amixing-chamber and gas and air supply chambers on opposite sides of themixing-chamber, a cylindrical valvecasing fitting between themixing-chamber and the air and gas chambers and provided with portsopening into the mixing-chamber, a cylindrical valve-barrel rotatable insaid casing and provided with ports adapted to register with the portsof the casing, a partition arranged in the valve-barrel between the airand gas supplies, a spindle journaled on the valve-body and connectedwith the valve-barrel, a sleeve mounted on the spindle and connectedwith the partition, and an ad justing device whereby the partition andits sleeve are moved axially with reference to the valve-barrel,substantially as set forth.

15. In a fuel-mixing device, the combination of a valve-body having amixing-chamber and gas and air supply chambers on opposite sides of themixing-chamber, a cylindrical valvecasing fitting between themixing-chamber and the air and gas chambers and provided with portsopening into the mixing-chamber, a cylindrical valve-barrel rotatable insaid casing and provided with ports adapted to register with the portsof the casing, a partition arranged in the valve-barrel between the airand gas supplies, a spindle journaled on the valve-body and connectedwith the valve-barrel, a sleeve mounted on the spindle and connectedwith the partition, a slide guided on the valve-body, a fork mounted onthe slide and engaging with an annular groove in said sleeve, and anadjusting-screw connecting the slide with the valve-body, substantiallyas set forth.

Witness my hand this 21st day of September, 1901.

, HARRY J. SMITH. Witnesses-2 THEO. L. PoPP, EMMA M. GRAHAM.

